Foot measuring device



March 12, 1957 M. SAN PRATI-:LLC

FOOT MEASURING DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1953 vlvmumSS/Jvz 2,734,492` hoor MEASURING DEVICE Michael San Fratello, Chicago, Ill., assignor of oueuhalr to Z. Albert Joseph, Chicago, lll.

Application, G ctobcrtS, 1953, Serial No. 384,240

9 Claims.` (Cl. 333) rIthis invention pertains` to improvements in measuring sticks for use in determining foot sizes in the fitting of footwear, and has as one of its principal objects the provision of a measuring device adapted for manufacture by molding processes from thermoplastic materials with structuralv features such as the provision at least of one transparent face on the so-called stick, and a cavity therein to receive a desired type o f scale insert, as well as additional display matter suchas the trademark or other proprietary name or like indicia.

Another feature is the `provision of` a measuring device of the class described having a cavity to receive a scalar insert, soy that a stock construction may be employed for easy adaptation to measurement of womens, mens, or childrens `sizes in shops specializing in one or the other group; the same stock` construction being readily providedfwith the name, trademark, `or other desired display matter of shops to which the novel device is to` be supplied.

Additional objects and aspects of utility and novelty will become apparent as the following description proceeds in view of the annexed drawing in which:

Fig; lis a top plan view of the novel gauge;

Fig. 2 isa Vertical cross-section taken along lines 2-,2 of'Fig. l;

Fig. 3 isa cross-.section taken along lines 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a foreshortened vertical cross-section showing a modifiedconstruction;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section ofthe modified form as seen along4 lines 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Patent O Fig. 6 isaV` fragmentary perspective detail of the. bott torn closure member for` the modified construction of Figs. 4 and 5.

Referring to Fig. l, the measuring gauge, or stick as it is sometimes called, consists of an elongated body part 10 having an upstanding projection or heel stop 11 at one extremity and extending at right angles to the upper surface of the body part 10.

As viewed in Fig. l, the main stick or body part 10 has a longitudinallyextending cavity or pocket 12 formed therein and extending transversely almost entirely across the width of the stick proper, with only three marginal wall portions 13, 14, and 15 defining three sidewalls for the cavity, while the fourth side 16 is left open to provide an entrance to the pocket which is somewhat concealed in its location beneath the heel stop 11.

A prepared scale 18, suitable in the illustrative embodiment for the measurement of shoe sizes, is disposed within the pocket or cavity 12, having been introduced therein by sliding the same into the entrance 16.

The length of the stick part 10 and the pocket 12 is contrived to aiford an extra space at 12A for the display of additional reading matter or indicia, such as a trademark.

The device of Figs. l and 2 is preferably constructed from three pieces of moldable plastic consisting (as seen in Figs. 2 and 3) of a bottom body or stic part 10A,

2,784,492` Patented Mar. 12, 1957 `a top or cove'r lpiecelOB which is preferably cemented to the bottom piece as at16A andalong the longitudinal top surfaces of the opposite sidewall parts 13, 14, 1'5; as at 13A, 14A, 15A in Fig. 3.

Thetop or cover plate 10B is clear and transparent to enable reading .of the scale and display material; and preferably the upstandinghcel stop 11 is also clear and transparent to conform to the appearance of the top plate.

AThe bottom section 10A may or may not be clear and transparent. In some applications, the bottommember has been made jet black or an opalescent white for decorative reasons. Where the bottom member 10A is transparent or translucent, additional display or scalar mattermay be carried on the underside of the scale 18 (not illustrated).

The heel stop 11 inthe embodiment of Figs. l to 3 is secured in position by means of screws 11A tapped into the same and serving to block escape ofthe inserted scale member 18 in the manner especially apparent in Fig. 3`.

A modified three-piece construction, especially suited to molding processes, is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, wherein the transparent stick or `body 10X has a longitudinallyextensive scale pocket or cavity 12X formed in the underside thereof and defined by opposite longitudinal sidewalls 13X, 14X (Fig. 5) and an endwall 15X with an entrance opening` 16X at the opposite end. beneath the heel stop 11X, the latter being formed integrally with the main stick body 10X.

Formed in the opposite longitudinal sidewalls 13X, 14X are parallel, longitudinal cover-plate grooves 13Y, 14Y slidably receiving a closure plate 19, which is substantially flat throughout its length except for an enlarged transverse ridge or Shoulder portion 19A at one end in which is formed a retaining dimple or boss 19B adapted to fit releasably in the manner of a detent into a matching depression 19X` formed .in the stickpart beneath the heel stop at the entrance 16X.

A suitable indicia. stripor scale 18X, like `thatshown in Fig. l, if desired, is placedupon theY closure plate19 and the latter slid' intoplacein grooves 13Y, 14Y with the rib or shoulder 19A underlying the heel stop 11X and the detentboss .19B snapped `easily intothe-depression 19X.

The holding engagement.. of the detent` means `19B-19Xyields,totdeliberate outward sliding eifort on the closure plate.

The devicer constructed according `to the disclosureis inexpensive to make, admits of a range of decorative possibilities as to coloring of those parts which are not required to be clear, such as the top members 10B or 19, and the heel stops 11, 11X; and the scalar inserts are changeable at will, along with any additional advertising, display, or trademark matter which may be desirably included either as part of the scale imprint or as a separate insert. The pocket portion in both embodiments being of sufficient depth to receive a single paper or like printed insert, such as the scale 18, of a given thickness or two or more thinner inserts, as preferred.

One of the further advantages of both embodiments is the fact that the size scales are not engraved or irnprinted on the top surface of the stick where they will be quickly worn down by use of the device, as in the case of prior devices of this class.

Since the scale elements 18, 18X are preferably imprinted on paper or like material, the color scheme of both the scale and display matter may be changed from time to time.

I claim:

1. A measuring device of the class described comprising an elongated narrow and fiat stick adapted to fit in the hand and having a longitudinally-extensive cavity therein opening into one endwall of the stick, the latter having a transparent wall overlying said cavity; an insert scale lodged in said cavity through said endwall opening; and means on said stick constituting a heel stop, together with means removably engaged with said stick member and heel stop and securing the latter in position as aforesaid and also removably blocking said opening.

2. A foot measuring device comprising a thin, narrow, and elongated stick having a longitudinally-extending pocket thereinwith an entrance opening in one transverse endwall for passage of a scalar insert; said stick having at least one longitudinally-extensive sidewall portion which is transparent and substantially at on its outer surface for the purpose of fitting against the bottom of the foot being measured; a ilat, elongated, foot-sizing scale inserted through said opening into said pocket to lie beneath said transparent sidewall and be read through the latter; a heel stop mounted on said transparent sidewall near one end of said stick to project above said ilat surface at a position substantially overlying said entrance opening; and securing means carried by said stick and passing across said entrance opening to block escape of the insert through the latter, and also removably engaged in said heel stop to secure the latter to the stick.

3. A foot-measuring device comprising an elongated, narrow stick having at least one substantially at, longitudinally-extensive topwall against which the sole of the foot is to be placed, said topwall having a substantial area extending along its length and which is transparent; a shallow cavity underlying said transparent topwall throughout a substantial part of its length and being open on its side opposite said transparent topwall, said open side being anked by opposite longitudinally-extending side margins; said cavity being shallow and adapted to receive a thin indicia-bearing insert including scalar graduations thereon to be read through said transparent topwall; a heel stop on said stick; and a closure plate for said open side and removably engaged with said opposite side margins.

4. A construction according to claim 3 in which said opposite side margins each have a longitudinally-extensive groove paralleling the groove in the other, and said closure plate is slidably seated in said grooves and releasably held by cooperating detent means on the plate and stick.

5. The construction according to claim 3 in which said opposite side margins each have a plate-retaining formation and said closure plate is transparent and removably engaged with said retaining formations to permit reading therethrough of said insert and removal from said stick for withdrawal of said insert.

6. A measuring device comprising a thin, elongated stick formed in one piece of moldable material with at least one transparent side and having a shallow, elongated cavity underlying said side to receive a flat, indiciabearing insert which is to be read through said transparent side; said cavity having an opening communicating thereinto for insertion and removal of said insert; means removably carried by said stick for closing said opening; and a heel stop projecting at right angles to said transparent side adjacent one longitudinal end of the stick.

7. A construction according to claim 6 in which said heel stop is integral with said stick, and said closing means is a transparent plate slidably engaged with the stick to lie in a plane parallel to that of said transparent side.

8. A foot-size scale comprising a one-piece, thin, elongated stick of molded plastic material having an integral, upstanding heel stop thereon and having formed on the underside of the stick a long cavity to receive an insert scale, said cavity opening into one lateral end wall of the stick and affording a passage for said insert scale, the portion of the stick overlying said cavity being transparent for viewing of the scale; a thin, elongated closure strip removably seated in said cavity as a bottom for the latter and said insert scale, and a formation on said closure strip substantially blocking passage of the insert scale from the cavity through said passage when said strip is seated as aforesaid.

9. A hand-scale for measuring foot sizes and comprising an elongated stick having a flat, transparent top wall and being of a Width substantially less than the minimum width of the normal adult human foot, and of a thickness substantially less than said width, andof a length substantially longer than the maximum length of said foot, said stick having a shallow cavity interiorly thereof beneath said top wall and extending from an insert entrance at one end, a substantial distance toward the opposite end thereof; a removable foot-size scale in said cavity and legible beneath said transparent top wall; a heel stop correlated to-said scale at one end of said stick and upstanding from said top wall, and removable blocking means carried by said stick at said entrance for preventingescape of the scale from said cavity.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rosenberg et al. Apr. 8, 1952 

